We Will Do Well

Happy New Year 2025!

I am not sure about you, but for the last month and a half I have been spending an increased time with the Lord in the early hours. And throughout this time, it seems as if 2nd Peter 1:19 has leapt off the page and pierced my mind (my attention) and my heart (seat of emotions) as it has not before in days past.

This time, and this new year, I have spent time seeking the Lord specifically as to this thought: “After having been transformed by the true working power of God’s grace nearly 24 years ago, I thought I would have been much further along in my sanctification.“

Peter said, “…and we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” If I (we) pay attention we shall do well.

What does this mean? Well, what does it mean should I (we) not pay attention to God’s word? That is all too clear for me.

The writer of Hebrews starts off his letter by saying… “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son…” (Heb. 1:1) and, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Heb. 2:1)

I had the privilege of preaching on 2nd Peter 1:19 for a dear friend of mine at a small local church in northern Illinois the last Sunday of 2024. I cannot but help to continue walking this out in my own life. It is my hope and prayer that this year I would “pay much closer attention” and obey in the small things, that the fruit of the Spirit may increase in my life for the glory and honor of my dear Lord and Savior and that others may be edified in their lives as well.

Below are a few areas that I must obey. Although you may think these to be small, nonetheless, they are steps of obedience that I must put into play. I pray this would take me further down the road of walking with my God. For me (maybe you as well), it starts with the desire of my heart. If desire should be absent, then I ask the Lord for His desire regarding His will for my life this side of eternity, both for His sake and growing into eternity future.

• When awaking earlier than planned – pray and seek God first rather than trying to fight with sleep.
• Pay much closer attention to His word and truly desire that it would be applied in all aspects of my life.
• Cease from all social media, deleting all accounts, and pulling away from the never-ending rhetoric that never leads to The Truth. Should this be permanent? Should this be for a season? Regardless, simple obedience.
• Be more apart from my phone.
• Seeking to be more resolved in my diet.
• A minor, yet diligent, increase in my physical activity.
• Embracing His perfect providence regarding the work for the day.
• Focusing more on today than worrying about tomorrow.

Maybe these things are not applicable for you, however for me, this is the obedience I must obey for the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ Jesus.

“Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of men is fully set to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will He prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.” (Eccl. 8:10-15)

May we slough off the old year and plow forward (Jer. 4:3; Hosea 10:12) in the year(s) to come, through His working power in faith and our willful and dutiful obedience.

I would love to hear from you.

Amen.

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